Three Kingdoms: I choose Xiao Qiao and Da Qiao, why are you crying, Diao Chan?

Chapter 214: The Strategy on the Couch! (Thanks to the monthly ticket support from book friend 2024…6734~)

Lu Su took a sip of tea and said slowly:
“In fact, before the Battle of Xia Pi, I thought Liu Bei’s army would win a great victory.

"But I didn't expect that you would eventually capture Xia Pi and repel them.

"My previous opinion is going to change."

Lu Bu smiled from ear to ear, looking quite proud:
"So what do you think now?"

Lu Su did not immediately give his answer, but only analyzed the only loser in this battle:
“Although Cao Cao was a hero in troubled times, he showed signs of decline after being defeated twice by Liu Bei’s army.

“With this defeat, we have lost the capital to fight for the world.

"If Cao Cao can take advantage of the geographical advantage and hold the emperor hostage to control the princes as soon as possible, his chances of winning will be greatly increased.

“But now that His Majesty the Emperor has gained great power, no one can threaten him anymore.

"So I guess Cao Cao will most likely lead the remaining forces to join Yuan Shao to avenge his defeat by Liu Bei."

"Oh?"

A hint of surprise appeared in Lu Bu's eyes.

Cao Cao and Yuan Shao join forces?
Wouldn't that give birth to a super powerful force?

One is a man of three generations of high officials, and the other is a warlord in troubled times.

Moreover, the two were close friends when they were young, and their relationship now is also extraordinary.

If Cao Cao was willing to assist Yuan Shao with all his strength, Yuan Shao's strength would definitely improve by leaps and bounds!

Lu Bu felt a little nervous just thinking about it.

Fortunately, Liu Bei's army and Liu Xie's army completely separated him from Yuan Shao's forces, so he didn't have to worry about this problem for the time being.

Gongsun Zan, who is further north, might have a headache...

Lu Bu refilled Lu Su's tea and signaled with his eyes that Lu Su should continue speaking.

Lu Su also gradually relaxed his restraint, raised the cup and took another sip, then pushed the empty cup directly in front of Lu Bu.

Lu Bu just smiled and filled the other person's glass again.

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Lu Su's eyes, but he was in no hurry to drink more and continued the previous topic:
"You just asked me, who will eventually take over the Han Empire?

"In my opinion, there are only two possibilities."

"Which two?"

Lu Bu's interest was piqued and he couldn't help but join in the conversation.

"Liu Bei's army or... Yuan Shao's army!"

Hearing this answer, Lu Bu frowned immediately:

"Why, is it that I, Lu Bu, have no chance of that?"

Seeing Lü Bu's unhappy face, Lu Su laughed:
"Don't worry, just listen to me.

"I believe you can imagine how powerful Yuan Shao and Cao Cao are when they join forces.

“Although Cao Cao was defeated three times by Liu Bei, he still had more than 40,000 soldiers and five counties under his command.

"The most important thing is that he did not lose many capable and brave generals.

"If Yuan Shao completely absorbs Cao Cao's forces, he will become the force with the most talents among the existing forces!
“The impact of talent on war is undoubtedly crucial!
“Whether it’s you, the Emperor, Gongsun Zan, or Liu Yan who is hiding in Yizhou, or even Liu Bei, none of them can compare to him.

"It can be said that Yuan Shao's army had the 'harmony of people', and therefore had the capital to fight for the Han Dynasty.

"As for Liu Bei's army, you have already experienced how powerful they are.

"With a genius like Zhuge Wolong, who can make use of various celestial phenomena and combine them with ingenious strategies, we can defeat the enemy with a small force!
"And he was able to gain full support from the people of Xuzhou soon after entering Xuzhou." This meant that he had the advantage of both 'time' and 'people' at the same time, so he had a better chance of competing for the Han Dynasty.

"As for you, although you occupy the natural barrier of Jiangdong and the important place of Jingzhou, you have mastered the 'geographical advantage' among the three advantages.

“But it developed too fast and had an unstable foothold. Most importantly, its background was too weak and its base was too thin!

“It seems that you own two states, but do you really have a firm grasp on the noble families in these two states?
“You know, most of the world is in the hands of the aristocratic families.

“If we can’t get the noble families to submit completely, we’ll become traitors who can stab you in the back at any time!
"Moreover, the Shanyue in Jiangdong have not yet been pacified, and Jingzhou is surrounded by powerful enemies.

"Even if you pacify Yizhou and Jiaozhou in the future, the road to the north will be blocked by the emperor and Liu Bei's army.

“Then Liu Bei’s army will surely join forces with the emperor.

"If the emperor declares Liu Bei's power as the Han Empire, can you still forcefully attack?
“And Zhuge Liang will certainly try to lure you into attacking the emperor and use you to eliminate Liu Xie.

"By then, Liu Bei will become the legitimate heir of the Han Dynasty and win the hearts of the people.

"And you will be branded as a traitor and subjected to verbal and written criticism. By then, the country will be filled with smoke of war and rebellion.

"The half of the empire you worked so hard to build will collapse in an instant!

"In this way, you only have a temporary advantage, just like playing chess, you only have the advantage at the beginning.

"If I can't have the last laugh, what qualifications do I have to compete with Liu Bei's army and Yuan Shao's army for the world in the later period?"

Lu Su's words were like a sledgehammer, gently knocking on his dormant soul, making him suddenly enlightened, yet also feeling uneasy!
He thought that by taking over the entire territory of Yangzhou and Jingzhou and generally appeasing the aristocratic families, he would have accomplished his mission and could continue to expand his territory.

However, Lu Su pointed out sharply that his efforts to win over the aristocratic families were clearly not enough.

To be precise, it is very difficult to win over the hearts of the people and the aristocratic families at the same time.

Because the interests of the wealthy and powerful families are often built on the suffering of the poor people.

If the poor people become wealthy, the interests of the wealthy families will inevitably be affected.

So the popularization of the curved plow and dragon-bone waterwheel, although it seemed to have helped the poor people, had actually offended all the wealthy families in the world?

And those people from the aristocratic families smile at me on the surface, but I don’t know how they scold me in secret!

Thinking about these things, Lu Bu became more and more uneasy. He immediately sat up straight and asked Lu Su for advice:
"So, I really have no chance to become the third person to take over the Han Dynasty?
"If there is, please teach me, sir!"

Looking at Lu Bu's humble attitude towards learning, Lu Su felt even more admiration for the man in front of him.

But he still sneered deliberately:
"You and I are enemies. Do you think I would teach my enemies how to take over the world?"

Seeing this, Lu Bu said more earnestly:

“Although I am not talented, at present, I should be the force that is most likely to unify the world among all the forces.

“No other party would have the advantage that I have now.

“If I can unify the world, the negative impact on it will definitely be minimal.

"If you can teach me, it will be like saving the people of the world!"

Hearing that Lu Bu was so eloquent, he suddenly stood on the moral high ground, yet his attitude was so humble.

This gave Lu Su the illusion that he was the only one who could save the world...

But even so, he still didn't want to give advice to his enemies.

Seeing Lu Su remained silent, just when Lu Bu was extremely anxious, a figure suddenly walked in from outside the door and shouted sarcastically:

“I thought Brother Zijing was a man who cared about the world.

"Now it seems that he is no different from those fat dogs who indulge in luxury and extravagance!"

(End of this chapter)